Looking for something compact that feels like Chess without the tedious intracacies of Chess? Hive Pocket is the game you’re looking for. The strategic, two player game is abstract, has no board, and only requires a smooth surface to enjoy playtime.
The base game of Hive contains 26 hexagonal parts split between black and white, each piece resembling a specific type of insect or bug that has its own method of moving. The object of the game is to surround the other player’s Queen Bee, and with no board to guide static strategies and movements, the pieces become an ever-changing platform, evolving in a back-and-forth battle of offensive and defensive maneuvers. Because while you’re trying to surround the enemy’s Queen Bee, they’re trying to do the same to you.
Hive Pocket’s simplicity is its greatest feature. All 22 base pieces are easily packed in an included slip bag, making it perfect for travel. My wife and I often take it with us when we visit a local pub without having to worry about filling too much space or losing microscopic pieces. The gameplay, while also simplistic, can become addicting as you begin learning different tactics, and even though some games can become pretty complex, they never feel long or tedious. It gives an aura of Chess without the severe learning curve. We felt like scheming pros after just a couple of matches, but each game can differ so dramatically that repeated play never feels stale.
Learning how to use each creature’s unique movement to your advantage is key. Sometimes it’s worth sacrificing the limited movement of a spider in order to give one of your soldier ants free reign, and having to constantly bounce between offensive and defensive movements creates a nice tension without making the game feel overwhelmingly difficult.
Because of how compact and easy it is to dive into, Hive Pocket has quickly become one of my favorite two-player tabletop games. Sometimes a dose of competition goes well with a beer or two.